Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To evaluate contrast sensitivity function and higher–order wavefront aberrations in eyes undergoing cataract surgery, and to compare pseudophakic eyes and normal controls. Methods: Subjects were 18 eyes with cataract that were undergoing cataract surgery, 108 pseudophakic eyes, and 200 normal eyes. We examined higher–order aberrations for a 4–mm pupil using the wavefront analyzer (Topcon KR–9000PW), contrast sensitivity with CSV–1000E (Vector Vision), low contrast visual acuity with CSV–1000LanC10%, and letter contrast sensitivity with CSV–1000LV. From the data of CSV–1000E, the area under the log contrast sensitivity function (AULCSF) was calculated. Eyes with cataract (18 eyes) were evaluated before and 1 month after surgery. Results: In 18 eyes with cataract, surgery significantly improved all contrast sensitivity parameters (p< 0.0001, Paired t–test), and decreased higher–order aberrations including coma–like, spherical–like, and total aberrations (p< 0.05, Wilcoxon signed–ranks test). When 108 pseudophakic eyes and 200 normal eyes were compared, higher–order aberrations were significantly higher in the IOL group than in the normal controls (p<0.0001, Unpaired t–test), and contrast sensitivity function was significantly worse in the pseudophakic eyes (p<0.0001, Unpaired t–test). In the IOL group, ocular spherical–like aberrations and Zernike C4,0 term exhibited statistically significant correlations with letter contrast sensitivity (r= –0.200, p<0.05, and r= –0.210, p<0.05, Pearson’s correlation), but corneal higher–order aberrations showed no correlation with contrast sensitivity parameters. Conclusions: Cataract surgery improved contrast sensitivity and decreased ocular higher–order aberrations. However, the ocular higher–order aberrations and the contrast sensitivity function in eyes with IOL did not attain the normal level. In pseudophakic eyes, ocular spherical aberration significantly correlated with the reduction in letter contrast sensitivity.
Keywords: contrast sensitivity • imaging/image analysis: clinical • cataract